Combined traction-wheel and water-tank.



No. 801,276. PATENTED OGT.1Q, 1905.

G. SPEARMAN. COMBINED TRACTION WHEEL AND WATER TANK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 5. 1905.

UNITED;- sra'rns PATENT ()FFTCE.

GEORGE'S PEARMAN, OF \VINNIPEG, CANADA.

COMBINED TRACTION-WHEEL AND WATER-TANK.

T rtZl whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE SPEARMAN, farmer, of the city of Winnipeg, inthe county of Selkirk, Province of Manitoba, Dominion of Canada, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Combined Traction-l/Vheels andWVater-Tanks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in traction-engines: and theobjects of my invention are to provide a combined tractionwheel andwater-tank whereby the water necessary for use in the operation of theboiler may be conveniently carried without materially increasing theload to be propelled by the engine, further objects being to cause ther0- tation of the traction-wheel to automatically pump the requiredamount of water and to provide means to regulate the amount of waterpumped; and it consists, essentially, of a hollow traction-wheel adaptedto contain water,a plurality of gravity-pumps located therein and havingdischarge-orifices external to the wheel, normally closed valves forsaid discharge-orifices, means controlled by the movement of the wheelfor intermittently operating said valves, a supply-tank for the boilerand means operated by a predetermined accumulation of the water in saidtank to automatically cause the operation of said pumps to cease, thevarious parts of the device being constructed and arranged in detail, ashereinafter more particularly described.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of my combined traction-wheel andwater-tank on the side nearest the boiler, parts of the device beingshown in section to more clearly show the construction. Fig. 2 is asectional view through the center of my combined traction. wheel andwater-tank. Fig. 3 is an end view of the'cam K shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4is an enlarged sectional detail of the valve F shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5is a detail showing a longitudinal section through the pump-chamber 0shown in Fig. 2.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding partsin each figure.

A represents a portion of the engine-boiler provided with the usual rearend platform a.

B isa traction-wheel which in accordance with my invention is made inthe form of a hollow cylindrical tank comprising a suitable rim 6 andside plates 5 b suitably secured together with water-tight joints. Aplural- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 5, 1905. Serial No. 259,062.

Patented Oct. 10, 1905.

ity of plugs b are secured into plates 6*, which are secured withwater-tight joints to one or both sides of the wheel. When the plugsbare removed, water may be conveniently introduced through the aperturethen provided in the plate 6*.

C is the axle of the traction-Wheel, which is rigidly secured tosuitable bearings on the boiler A, which bearings, forming no part of myinvention, need not be here described. The connection between the axleand the traction-wheel may be of any suitable water-tight character,that I prefer to use being a sleevelike bearing-hub 0, having flanges 0rigidly secured to the side plates of the wheel with water-tight joints.The driving mechanism of the traction-wheel forming no part of myinvention need not be here described, D representing the annular gear,preferably provided with a plurality of lugs cl, which are bolted to aplate d, which is suitably secured to the side plates.

A plurality of gravity-operated dischargepumps E are provided in theinterior of the wheel,comprising pump-chambers 6, provided with aplurality of inlet-passages 6, adapted to be opened or closed at theproper time by gravity-operated check-valves 6 of the flapper type, andsubtantially radial tubes 6 which aflord communication between the outerchamber 6 and a discharge-tube 0*, provided with a discharge-orifice a Aspring-operated valve F, normally remaining closed, is provided in thedischarge-tube e, the valve-stem f thereof extending through a plug 0 inthe end of the discharge-pipe 6*. It will be understood that Whilepreferring the above form I do not limit myself to the exactconstruction, as there are many other forms of pumps which would Work inmy device.

Directly below the discharge-orifice e a catch-box or hopper G issecured to the free end of a lever g, which is pivoted intermediate ofits length to a frame g or other suitable support. The inner end of thelever is connected by suitable means, such as a rod 9 to a float g,which floats in the vertical compartment h of the water-tank H. Thesides of the compartment h are provided, near the bottom thereof, with aplurality of openings 71, which afford communication for the waterbetween the compartment and the rest of the tank. This compartmentaffords a vertical guide for the float g An arm or dog g is pivotallysecured near the end of the lever ,r andis norl tration, stands in itsoperative position,

mally gravity-held in an inoperative position, but is adapted to beengaged with the edge of the tank H for the purpose which will presentlyappear. A segmental cam g is madeintegral with or secured to the top ofthe hopper G, the valve-stem fof the valve F normally coming in contactwith the said cam-plate during its rotation and being forced inwardlythereby, thus opening the valve F and permitting any water which may bein the pump-chamber e to flow out through the discharge-orifices a intothe hopper G. A suitable tube g leads through the bottom of the hopperinto the tank H. At the juncture of the tubes 0 and c a hollow head 0inwardly extends. in which is secured a perforated plug (1 theperforation of which is adapted to be closed by acheckvalve 6 in theform of a ball.

To allow for the withdrawal of water from the traction-wheel when not inmotion, 1 provide a plurality of tubes 1, which preferably extendthrough stuffing-boxes 7f, secured in plates '21, secured to the outsideof the wheel. To the inside ends of the tubes I, which are near theperiphery of the wheel, are secured suitable valve-housings 2', in whichare springseated valves 2', normally closing the inner ends of the saidtubes. A valve-stem d is secured to the valve and extends through thetube I and guide-lug 2 provided therein, and protudes beyond the surfaceofthe outside plate 6.

To the ends of the tube I, which extend external to the plate t, aresecured the sections y' of a two-part coupling J, the sections y" ofwhich are detachable and applicable in working position by a pivotedmovement. There are many forms of water-tight couplings which might beused for this purpose, all of which are well known to those familiarwith the art and so need not be here described.

K is a cam rigidly secured to the outer end of the axle C and adapted tobe engaged by the valve-stem i" in its movement, whereby when the valveis in its uppermost position the valve-stem will have been forcedinwardly by the cam, and so will open the valve.

Having now described the various parts of my mechanism 1 will brieflyindicate the method of operation of the same. The traction-wheel will befilled with water through the openings in the plates 6 to any desiredlevel. Under the rotation of the wheel as the pump-chambere is turneddownward it will be submerged in the water contained within the 'wheeland flapper-valve 6 thereby opening l I r l l shown in the drawings.This cam pressing on the valve-stem forces the valveF open and permitsthe water to run by gravity from the pump-chamber a, through the tube 6through the tube a", and out through the orifice 6 into thehopper G,from whence it will run through the tube g into the water-tank H. Thechamber 0 being in a vertical position, the gravityvalves 6 will beopen. as shown, thus permitting the air to flow into the pump-chamber todisplace the water discharged. At the same time as this operation hastaken place with regard to the pump E one ofthe inlet-tubes I has alsobeen brought into avertical position and the val ve-stem 2 of the valvecontained therein having come in contact with the cam K will have openedthe valve 2', thus permitting air to enter through the tubeI into theinterior of the wheel to displace the water which has been pumped outtherefrom by means of the pump E. Automatic means are thus provided foradmitting air to the interior of the wheel as the water is dischargedtherefrom. hen the pump-chamber e is turned downwardly and submerged inthe water, the ball checkvalve 0 will open up, thus permitting the airto flow out of the chamber 6 as it is displaced by the water flowing in.When it is desired to withdraw water from the wheel when in a stationaryposition, the detachable eoupling'is used connected to the inlet-tube I,as shown in working position in the lower part of Fig. 2. hen thusapplied, the detachable head 7" of the coupling will press thevalve-stem f inwardly, thus opening the valve 1. When, however, thetraction-wheel is in motion, the part y" of the coupling will beremoved, so that the valve 71* will normally remain closed except in itsupright position. When the coupling J is applied, a hose may be attachedthereto and the water withdrawn from the interior of the wheel by theusual engine-actuated pump. \Vhenever by the rotation of the wheel wateris accumulated in the tank H above apredetermined point, the float ywill be raised, thus lowering the hopper G, carrying the cam-plate gbelow the circular line of movement of the outer ends of the valve-stemf, thus temporarily stopping the action of the gravity-pump bypermitting the valve F to remain closed under action of the springoperating it. henever the water in the tank H again lowers, the weightof the float acting through the lever lg, will again move the hopperupward and carry the cam g back into its operative position, where itwill act upon the valve-stem f to intermittently open the valve F, asalready described.

Should it for any reason be desirable to have the pumping of the waterentirely cease, the lever g may be raised until the gravityheld arm ordog 9" thereof engages the edge of the tank. The apparatus is soarranged that when in this position the cam y will be altogether out ofthe circular line of movement of the valve-stem f, and so the pump willcease to operate.

It will thus be seen that I have devised a convenient and efficient wayof carrying the water for use in the boiler of a traction-engine. Meansare also provided for pumping the water automatically as required andfor admitting air to the inside of the wheel as the water is withdrawntherefrom.

It will be understood that in carrying out the construction of my devicecertain changes may be made in the details thereof without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

Although I have described my invention with reference to the carrying ofwater for a traction-engine, it will be readily understood that withvery little change it could be used to carry any other form of liquidwhich might serve as a fuel for the engine, such as oil, gasolene, orthe like. I therefore do not limit myself to the application of myinvention to a traction-engine, but claim the right to use the combinedliquid-tank and vehiclewheel in any form in which it may be possito useit.

I/Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. In a device of the class describedthe combination with a hollow wheel adapted to contain a liquid, ofmeans for pumping the water therefrom, while the wheel is in motion asand for the purpose specified.

2. In a device of the class described the combination with a hollowwheel adapted to contain a liquid, of means automatically operated bythe rotation of the wheel for pumping water therefrom as and for thepurpose specified.

3. In a device of the class described the combination with avehicle-wheel adapted to contain a liquid, of a plurality ofgravity-pumps located within the wheel and having dischargeorificesexternal to the wheel, normally closed valves for saiddischarge-orifices and means controlled by the movement of the wheel forintermittently operating the same as and for the purpose specified.

4:. In a device of the class described the combination with a hollowvehicle-wheel adapted to contain a liquid of a plurality of gravitypumpslocated with n the wheel and having discharge-orifices external to thewheel, a plurality of normally closed valves for saiddischarge-orifices, valve-stems secured to said valves and protrudingbeyond the side plate of the wheel and a cam-plate supportedinclependently of the wheel and adapted to coact with said valve-stem tointermittently operate the valves as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a device of the class described the combination with a hollowvehicle-wheel adapted to contain a liquid, of a plurality ofgravitypumps carried by said wheel and adapted to normally operateduring a certain portion of the rotation of the wheel, a tank means forconveying the liquid-discharge of said pumps to said tanks and meansoperated by a predetermined accumulation of liquid in the tank totemporarily throw the pumps out of action as and for the purposespecified.

6. In a device of the class described the combination with a hollowwheel adapted to contain a liquid, a plurality of gravity-pumps carriedby said wheel and adapted normally to discharge during a certain portionof the rotation of the wheel, a plurality of normally closed valves forsaid pumps, a plurality of valve-stems therefor extending externallybeyond the side plate, a cam-plate adapted to coact with said valve-stemto intermittently operate said valves, a tank, means for conveying theliquid discharged by said pump to said tank, and means operated by apredetermined accumulation of the liquid in the tank to temporarilywithdraw said cam-plate from its operative position in relation to saidvalve-stem as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a device of the class described the combination with a hollowvehicle-wheel adapted to contain a liquid. of a plurality ofgravitypumps carried by said wheel, a plurality of normally closedvalves therefor, a plurality of valve-stems for the same extendingexternally to the side plate of the wheel, a camplate adapted to coactwith said valve-stems to intermittently operate the valves, a tank,means for conveying the liquid discharged by said pumps to said tank, alever pivoted intermediate of its length apd supporting the cam-plate atone end thereof, a float in said disk, means for connecting said floatto the end of said lever as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a device of the class described the combination with a hollowvehicle-wheel adapted to contain a liquid, a plurality of gravitypumpscarried by said wheel and provided with discharge-orifices external tothe wheel, normally closed valves therefor, a plurality of valve-stemsfor said valves extending externally to the side plate, acam-plateadapted to coact with said valve-stems to intermittently operate saidvalves, a hopper integral with said cam-plate, adapted to receive thedischarge from said pumps, a tank, suitable connections conveying theliquid from said hopper to said tank, and means operated by apredetermined accumulation of liquid in said tank to temporarilywithdraw ,said camplate from in contact with said valve-stems as and forthe purpose specified.

9. In adevice of the class described the com bination with a hollowvehicle-wheel adapted to contain liquid, of a plurality of gravitypumpslocated within the wheel and comprising liquid-chambers near theperiphery of the wheel provided with gravity-operated valves, ball checkair-admitting valves adapted to cooperate with said gravity-operatedvalves to admit and discharge the liquid to and from said pumps as andfor the purpose specified.

10. In adevice of the class described the coml stems to operate saidvalves by the rotation bination with a hollow vehicle-wheel adapted tocontain liquid, a plurality o'l gravitypumps contained in the interiorthereof comprising liquid-chambers near the periphery of the wheelprovided with gravity-operated valves, ball check air-admitting valvesadapted to cooperate with said gravity-operated valves to admit anddischarge the water, to and from said pumps, discharge-tubes for saidpumps extending external of the wheel, valves for said discharge tubes,normally closed valves, and means controlled by the rotation of thewheel for intermittently operating said valves as and for the purposespecified.

11. In a device of the class described the combination with the hollowvehicle-wheel adapted to contain liquid, of a plurality of normallyclosed air-admitting tubes and intermittent automatic means for openingthe same as and for the purpose specified.

12. Inadevice ofthe class described thecombination with a hollow wheeladapted to contain liquid, a plurality of air-admitting tubes, normallyclosed valves therefor. valve-stems secured to said valves and extendingexternal of the said wheel, a non-rotatably-supported cam adapted tocoact with said valveof the Wheel as and for the purpose specified.

13. In adevice of the class described the combination with a hollowvehicle-wheel adapted to contain liquid, of a plurality of normallyclosed tubes extending to the interior of the wheel through the sidethereof, and adapted when open to admit air to the interior of the wheelor to permit the discharge of the liquid therefrom, detachable couplingsfor said tubes and means whereby the detaching of said coupling closesthe tubes as and for the purpose specified.

14. In a device of the class described the combination with a hollowvehicle-wheel adapted to contain a liquid, of means operated by therotation of the wheel to pump the liquid from the interior thereof andmeans for automatically intermittently admitting air to replace theliquid discharged as and for the purpose specified.

Signed at the city of Ottawa, in the Province of Ontario, this 2d day ofMay, 1905.

GEORGE SPEARMAN.

Witnesses:

RUSSEL S. SMART, MAY LYoN.

